One Year Down the Road...

[jbrummer]

I received my Larrivee L03 at just about this time last year - after spending not a few hours on this forum asking questions, learning, and generally nosing around.  Well, since then I've spent quite a few more hours here, still learning and nosing around, and loving my guitar more and more.  Thanks for all your knowledge, passion, and humor. Treated myself to a bone saddle from Bob Colosi (which I just installed yesterday) along with a new set of D'addario Lights.  Life is good.  Here are a few photos (no matter how hard I try, I can't capture the colorations of the Silver Oak back and sides).

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[acousticaddict]

Dang thats beautiful!!!!

[jbrummer]

One more photo - JCL's signature

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[ffinke]

One more photo - JCL's signature

DON'T WASH THAT PADDLE!!!

It's a beaut, for sure!

f

[jbrummer]

Had a chance to play this afternoon for an hour or so and am continually amazed by the tone (and overtones) of Larrivee guitars.  Up and down the fret board, bass to trebles, the effect is chorus-like at times.  I had a local tech look over the guitar last week and he couldn't say enough about the Larrivee tone (even in the "low-end" models -- I chose to overlooke that remark).  This from a guy who regularly plays guitars in the $5000 plus range.  I can see now how, for certain players and/or songs, the ringing overtones could become a liability of sorts.  As for me, playing alone and just trying to get to the next level, the tone, sustain, and overtones are reason to marvel -- and great inspiration to keep playing and get better.

[jbrummer]

One more try to capture some of the greens, greys, pinks, and oranges of the Silver Oak.  One day I'll take a stab at trying to upload some audio clips.

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[jbrummer]

One more . . . (promise to stop soon -- getting a bit carried away).

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[wally]

Hope you don't mind me talking about your baby like this but man, those curves, that silver oak complexion-she's sexy!
Nothing like finding a guitar with a beautiful voice that sings to you.  congrats.

[jbrummer]

No offense taken -- I can't bring myself to talk about my guitar that way, not because I don't agree with you, but -- there's another post about wives being angry at their husbands because of too much Larrivee time -- if my wife catches me describing my guitar with words that I should be using to describe her -- then I'm dead for sure

By the way, welcome to the forum!

[jbrummer]

Have been playing my L-03 with the new bone saddle for a week or so now and have noticed a marked increase in volume from the bass strings.  Not overpowering, the overall effect is still very balanced, but a bit more boom and snap in the bass (which is quite nice, actually).  I'm very happy with the new saddle (thanks Bob Colosi).  Anyone else experience such a change when going from TUSQ to bone?

[Michael T]

Have been playing my L-03 with the new bone saddle for a week or so now and have noticed a marked increase in volume from the bass strings.  Not overpowering, the overall effect is still very balanced, but a bit more boom and snap in the bass (which is quite nice, actually).  I'm very happy with the new saddle (thanks Bob Colosi).  Anyone else experience such a change when going from TUSQ to bone?

I've had my DV09 for 7 years and have almost a full set of Bob's saddles for her. Tusq, bone, FWI & WAHI. I had a Woolly Mammoth nut put on about 5 years ago when I had the K&K put in. I've had the luxury of going back and forth a couple times just 'cause I can and have to say they do have a significant tonal impact for that guitar. I do much prefer the West African Hard Ivory over the others by a country mile. I got it basically because it is the hardest and most durable of the materials according to Mr. Colosi and it was supposed to be sonically equal or identical to the FWI which I really liked on her. It definitely has cleaner separation and is a bit less harsh than FWI but retains that bell like sustain.

Now my Mahogany/sitka (L05) 12 string couldn't sound any better than with the Bones Jim Holler (Trinity Guitars) made for her, truly a work of art in sound and playability. He hand carved the saddle and nut to compensate the strings level across the top instead of the bottom eliminating the pick hole and equalizing the stoke in both directions for both volume and access. Warm and comfortable that one a pure joy to play.

[jbrummer]

Michael T -  You're right, the bone saddle has also improved the sustain, which was pretty amazing to begin with.  I've been so impressed with the upgrade that I ordered some bone bridge pins form Mr. Colosi as well (with padauk wood inlays).  I haven't installed them yet, and don't expect as dramatic a difference in tone as the new saddle provided, but they look cool as hell and it just seems like another step in the right direction--getting the guitar as natural as possible.  Then it's back to another year of playing before I decide to change anything else on the guitar.  Of course, the most serious change needed is in my skill level -- the L-03 is just pateiently waiting for me to live up to its potential